Month: November 2009

The Senate Health Care Debate Begins!

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With the courageous decision of Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu and Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln to support the beginning of debate on health care, the Democrats have succeeded in keeping their party caucus united, including independents Joe Lieberman and Bernie Sanders.

Now a long period of weeks of debate begins, and there are many torturous steps to go before a final vote, including the debate over abortion and over the “public option”. Votes in the Democratic caucus will be lost on these issues, including Joe Lieberman, Ben Nelson, Landrieu and Lincoln among others.

So the question is whether it will be possible to pass a substantial health care bill without causing a filibuster. Since that seems unlikely, the concept of “reconciliation”, requiring only 51 votes to pass legislation, may have to be put into play.

While it would be preferable to avoid “reconciliation”, the likelihood is that it will have to be utilized in order to bring about the most significant legislation since 1965 when Medicare passed into law.

Economists’ Consensus: Obama Was Correct on Stimulus Saving Economy

Ronald 1 Comment

Despite the criticism from liberal and conservative economists, a consensus has developed in the community of economists at large that the stimulus plan enacted earlier this year saved the economy from falling off the cliff to a total depression.

It is hard to be thrilled when the unemployment rate is over ten percent, and only approximately two thirds of a million jobs have been saved or created. But a broad based group of economists make it clear that the alternative of many conservatives to do nothing would have been far worse.

Many new jobs are slated to be created by the end of 2010, and many jobs will be saved as well, as has been the case with the aid to the states this year which kept many teachers, police officers, firefighters and other important public service workers at work.

Additionally, the third quarter GDP growth of 3.5% is a sign that the economic program of the administration is on its way to success, but of course there is great impatience among the American people. So the answer is to recognize the need for patience in difficult times, and to also enact a massive jobs program to create new jobs with some of the money from the original rescue of the financial and auto industries, which has not yet been spent!

Rudy Guiliani For Senate And Then The Presidency?

Ronald 3 Comments

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Guiliani apparently has decided to give up on a chance to run for Governor, partly on the basis that State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo seems set to run and is far ahead in the polls over Governor David Paterson and Guiliani, too.

Instead, it seems that Guiliani is now looking at the Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton, and filled temporarily by Kirsten Gillibrand, who is seeking to finish out the two years left after 2010 and then seek a full term in 2012.

According to the polls, Guiliani is substantially ahead of Gillibrand and would have an excellent chance to win the Senate seat. It makes one wonder why Governor Paterson made such a poor choice with Gillibrand, who it is hard to be enthused about. One could wish that other Democrats would challenge her, as she has always seemed to me to be a weak choice, and now may lose that seat for the Democrats.

But apparently, it is also the plan of Guiliani to use the Senate seat as a stepping stone for the White House in 2012. I think it should be required that Guiliani make clear that he will not seek the Presidency, and is not using a two year term in the Senate as simply an opportunity to promote himself. The state of New York should not elect someone who has no intention of staying longer.

Having said that, the odds of Guiliani, who is still, after all, considered quite “moderate” or even in some ways “liberal” in comparison to almost all other Republicans, winning a Presidential nomination after such a total disaster in his quest for the White House in 2008, has to be seen as next to zero!

So my advice, Rudy, is make up your mind that if you want to be a Senator, that you commit yourself to that position and set out to serve the people, rather than your own delusional ambitions for a job you will NEVER attain!

Time For A Massive Jobs Program A La CCC, PWA, WPA!

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It is time for President Obama to commit himself and his administration to a massive jobs program on the level of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Public Works Administration, and the Works Projects Administration, all initiated during the Great Depression by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Ten months have passed, and the unemployment rate is at 10.2 percent, the highest since 1983, and if it passes 10.8 percent, the highest it ever has been since 1939 and occurring in 1982, it will destroy the Democratic party victory of 2008 if no action is taken to reverse the surging unemployment.

Higher unemployment continuing will be the death knell of the administration, as Obama would be compared with Herbert Hoover. It is now an urgency that the US government, as a followup on the Jobs Summit set for early December, immediately use funds from the financial rescue, which have not yet been allotted or spent, a total of more than $200 billion, to be applied to job creation.

While conservatives will condemn public works programs, the answer is to ignore such attacks, as they have no desire to help the American people who are suffering, and never had any concern for average Americans during the Reagan or either Bush Administrations.

Everyday Americans will thank Obama for restoring their dignity and sense of self worth by creating such job programs, and if he does what must be done, he will be rewarded politically in the same way that Franklin D. Roosevelt was, when he ran for reelection.

The creation of massive jobs program on the level of $200 billion or more is a moral imperative, the right thing to do!

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour’s View Of Sarah Palin

Ronald 1 Comment

What an hysterically funny moment on Chris Matthews’ HARDBALL, when Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, head of the Republican Governors Conference, and former Republican National Chairman, was asked if Sarah Palin is qualified to be President.

He hemmed and hawed FOUR times, and said there was nothing constitutionally that disqualified her! He seemed very hesitant and uncomfortable being asked the question. It was extremely funny to watch this moment of truth coming out! 🙂

Haley Barbour is a smart gentleman, and he KNOWS in his heart that Sarah Palin is a total joke, a monster created by the bad judgment of John McCain, and it is obvious, although he will not say so and is a gentleman, that John McCain also KNOWS that Sarah is a nightmare, who has no appreciation of what the Arizona senator did for her, and shows lack of gratefulness by her bitter attack on McCain’s staff for having the “gall” to try to control an inept, moronic woman who was then and is still a “prima donna” who needs her ego stroked, because she in her heart knows just how inadequate and incompetent she is.

When will the American people realize she is a disaster area? Hopefully, before we are stupid enough to elect her leader of the free world and give her control over nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons!

Sarah Palin: Elements Of Dan Quayle And Richard Nixon

Ronald 8 Comments

Sarah Palin is now the woman of the hour, with her new book available for sale, her interviews all over television and radio, and her book tour, which began with a large crowd today in Grand Rapids. Michigan.

Millions of Americans seem to be connected to Sarah, but there are many disturbing elements to this adulation.

Sarah Palin is a very attractive woman, in many ways the male Dan Quayle. Quayle was picked over much more qualified candidates for Vice President by the first President Bush, partially because of his good looks which could attract female voters. He proved to be an embarrassing Vice President, and made one pray for President Bush’s health. One time, when Bush was ill, it created a bit of a crisis over the idea that Quayle might become President.

John McCain picked Sarah, despite her thin resume and very mediocre intellect, because her good looks could attract many men and also could appeal to so called “average” Americans who could relate to Sarah as being just like them.

The problem is we should not want “ordinary” Americans in high office! They should be brighter than most of us, as they are our leaders and need to be highly capable. This adulation of Sarah is not based on her substance, but on her being anti intellectual and anti Establishment. Such a person considering running for President is a dangerous moment for our democracy.

However, Palin also resembles Richard Nixon in one important way. They are both exceptional liars, Nixon through so many events in his life but highlighted by Watergate, and Palin, who shows no appreciation for John McCain putting her on the map, as she now spreads myths and lies about the McCain staff, so much so that even McCain, in a very delicate manner, has contradicted her account of the problems in the campaign. Also, both Nixon and Palin love to attack the “liberal elites” and the news media and to see themselves as “victims”. Of course, a tremendous difference would be that Nixon had substance, intellectual brilliance, experience and knowledge, none of which Sarah Palin possesses.

McCain is too much of a gentleman and a decent human being to ever express regret about setting Sarah Palin on the road to stardom, but in the dark of night, somehow, one has to believe he has secret regrets!

Senate Democrats And Health Care: Major Lack Of Courage By Some

Ronald 2 Comments

As the Senate is about to begin debate on the health care bill, the Democrats are divided on the public option and on the abortion issue.

Already, independent Joe Lieberman of Connecticut has said he will block any bill with a public option.

But it is not just Joe Lieberman who presents a problem. There are also the difficulties that moderate Democrats have with the legislation, and the danger that a few of them will block any action on health care.

These include Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, and Ben Nelson of Nebraska in particular. But what many do not understand is that their home states are among the poorest in the country, particularly the states of the two women senators, and there is such a dire need for a public option, and yet all three seem reluctant to do what is best for their states.

Basically, they all lack the courage to do what is right, and that is very disturbing, as the failure to bring about health care reform, if that occurs, will do great harm to the Democratic party in Congress, and also to President Obama, as this is his biggest issue, and it requires success for him to be in a strong position for 2010 and beyond!

Sarah Palin Vs. Dick Cheney? The Texas Race For Governor Heats Up

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The Texas gubernatorial race is heating up, as former Vice President Dick Cheney was in Houston to endorse Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison for Governor.

This creates a split among top Republicans as former Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin earlier endorsed, and promised to campaign for Governor Rick Perry, as he seeks to add to his ten years as Governor since George W. Bush left to become President.

The question is will George W. Bush come out of the woodwork and back either his successor who was his Lieutenant Governor, or Senator Hutchison? This is an interesting scenario: Will Bush stay on the sidelines or will he decide to oppose his own Vice President, or his own state’s governor who he chose as his running mate?

It is odd to see two of the most controversial Republicans–Palin and Cheney– on opposite ends, and it makes for fun times for those who think both are disastrous for the future of the GOP!

Barack Obama Confronts China On Censorship And Civil Liberties

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President Obama confronted the Chinese government directly today by bringing up the issue of a free internet and basic civil liberties in front of a Chinese student group and the Chinese President.

Of course, bringing it up did not change the Chinese leader’s mind, as he made clear of the need for all countries to avoid interference in other nations’ internal affairs.

But just by saying it at public gatherings was an important step, particularly with a nation which we have unfortunately allowed to become our biggest lender due to terrible economic policies and irresponsible war debt buildup under President Bush. Who ever could have imagined that we would be in such a financial mess due to eight years of the Bush Presidency! But in the midst of this, Obama showed courage and principle by speaking his mind on the subject of human rights, even if it met deaf ears!

Disgraceful Levels Of Hunger In America As Economic Crisis Worsens

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The US Agriculture Department reports the highest level of people facing a hunger crisis, in the midst of the greatest economic downturn since the 1930s.

49 million Americans have had to go without a meal or have had problems buying food, with the food stamp allotment being only $133 per month for each person who is fortunate enough to get it, and many millions do not even have that assistance.

One third of the 49 million people face a major crisis, while the other two thirds have the problem of buying cheaper, less varied foods, or visiting a food pantry or soup kitchen.

Of course, many children are victims of this hunger problem, with so many single mothers being in particular hardship.

In the midst of these statistics, the highest in 14 years, a conservative group, The Heritage Foundation, denies there is a hunger crisis, claiming these people may have to buy cheaper food, but are not hungry. Again, this is an example of lack of concern, and a decision symbolically to put one’s head in the sand and refuse to acknowledge reality, since it goes against their philosophy.

Such reactions are despicable, but are part of the same mentality that sees millions of Americans having no health care as not a crisis. The Obama Administration, by alerting us to the reality of hunger, are calling our consciences and our government to do whatever can be done to rectify this disgraceful situation! 🙁